AMSR2 satellite data provides a refined sea surface temperature product with over 99% Earth coverage every two days. Remote Sensing Systems processes this Level 2P dataset for the GHRSST Project using atmospheric model inputs from NCEP. The instrument has been collecting data since its launch onboard the GCOM-W satellite in May 2012.
Use Cases
- Modeling ocean heat content and climate variability using the subskin SST measurements across a 1450 km swath.
- Assimilating SST data into numerical weather prediction models to improve forecast accuracy.
- Calibrating and validating other satellite SST products by comparing with this microwave-derived dataset.
- Analyzing diurnal warming cycles by leveraging the separate daytime and nighttime data acquisitions.
- Studying regional SST patterns and anomalies for climate indices like El Niño.
Strengths
- Provides over 99% global coverage every 2 days due to the satellite's conical scan mechanism.
- Data is refined using atmospheric model inputs from NCEP Final Analysis for improved accuracy.
- Continues a long-term observation record, building upon previous Aqua/AMSR-E satellite missions.
Limitations
- The 'subskin' measurement represents temperature just below the surface skin layer, not the bulk SST used in some models.
- Microwave retrievals can be affected by heavy precipitation and severe atmospheric conditions, creating data gaps.
- Specific row count, file size, and temporal resolution details are not provided in the available description.
Provenance
- Source
- Remote Sensing Systems (RSS/REMSS), processing data from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) on the JAXA GCOM-W satellite.
- Collection Method
- Satellite remote sensing via microwave radiometer, with retrieval algorithms refined using NCEP atmospheric model data.
- Time Range
- Post-launch of AMSR2 on 18 May 2012; specific end date not provided.
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Global coverage.